Corey Brock, of MLB.com, reports the San Diego Padres are hoping to have a new general manager in place by the end of the World Series at the end of October. In the meantime, manager Bud Black, executive vice president Paul DePodesta and assistant general manager Fred Uhlman Jr. will watch over the baseball-operations department. "I think we're close. We still have another couple of interviews scheduled, which will take place next week," owner Jeff Moorad said. "I would guess the next couple of weeks." The team is rumored to be interested in Jed Hoyer, the assistant general manager of the Boston Red Sox, as well as Billy Eppler, the director of professional scouting for the New York Yankees. Moorad said he has no intentions of involving any candidates from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also stated that no internal candidates are of interest.

Updating an earlier item, the Associated Press' Ken Peters reports the Los Angeles Dodgers fired general manager Paul DePodesta Saturday, Oct. 29. "Our high expectations were not met," said Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. The Dodgers went just 71-91 in 2005, marking their worst record since 1992 and their second worst record since moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958.

Ken Gurnick, of Dodgers.MLB.com, reports the Los Angeles Dodgers have set a 2 p.m. PT press conference Saturday, Oct. 29. Reports have been published saying that general manager Paul DePodesta has been dismissed. Former manager Jim Tracy departed almost four weeks ago because of philosophical differences with DePodesta.

Updating previous items, Richard Durrett, of The Dallas Morning News, reports Texas Rangers pitching coach Orel Hershiser interviewed for the vacant Los Angeles Dodgers' managerial position Tuesday, Oct. 25, and thought it went well. Hershiser met with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and was joined by Dodgers special advisor to the chairman and former manager Tommy Lasorda, who took an active role in the interview. "It was very comfortable because Tommy was there," said Hershisher. "He was able to ask some questions to help Frank McCourt get to know me better." Hershiser also spoke by phone with Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta, who was not at the interview. "I think it went really well," said Hershisher.

Bill Plunkett, of The Orange County Register, reports Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta will be making the call on whom the Dodgers hire as their new manager to replace former manager Jim Tracy. The GM already has several candidates in mind and could begin interviews as soon as Tuesday, 11 Oct.

Updating a previous item, Bill Plunkett, of The Orange County Register, reports former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Jim Tracy parted ways from the team in a mutual decision between himself and general manager Paul DePodesta. The two sides had irreconcilable differences and were never able to get on the same page regarding the team's personnel. Tracy did not exercise his out clause in his contract but would receive $700,000 for his final year of the contract only if he's unable to land another job as a big league skipper.